---
title: "A region of space contains equipotential lines produced by static electric charges. Near point \\(P\\), the equipotential lines run vertically. Point \\(P\\) is located on the \\(+20\\text{ V}\\) line, with a \\(+30\\text{ V}\\) equipotential line located to its left and a \\(+10\\text{ V}\\) equipotential line located to its right. Which of the following best describes the direction of the electric field at point \\(P\\) and provides the correct physical justification?"
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url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/117338/"
date_modified: "2026-08-04T06:51:52+00:00"
---

# A region of space contains equipotential lines produced by static electric charges. Near point \(P\), the equipotential lines run vertically. Point \(P\) is located on the \(+20\text{ V}\) line, with a \(+30\text{ V}\) equipotential line located to its left and a \(+10\text{ V}\) equipotential line located to its right. Which of the following best describes the direction of the electric field at point \(P\) and provides the correct physical justification?

A region of space contains equipotential lines produced by static electric charges. Near point \(P\), the equipotential lines run vertically. Point \(P\) is located on the \(+20\text{ V}\) line, with a \(+30\text{ V}\) equipotential line located to its left and a \(+10\text{ V}\) equipotential line located to its right. Which of the following best describes the direction of the electric field at point \(P\) and provides the correct physical justification?

![A 2D diagram showing vertical equipotential lines in a region of space. Three parallel vertical dashed lines are drawn and labeled from left to right as +30 V, +20 V, and +10 V. A point labeled P is marked on the center vertical line (+20 V). The line labeled +30 V is to the left of P, and the line labeled +10 V is to the right of P. No field arrows, charges, or axes appear.](https://nerd-notes.com/wp-content/uploads/ubq-frq-generated/stem-fig-1-1785826311-xKneOt.jpg)

- **A.** Toward the left, because the electric field points in the direction of increasing electric potential.
- **B.** Toward the right, because the electric field is perpendicular to equipotential lines and points toward regions of lower electric potential.
- **C.** Toward the top of the page, because the electric field is directed parallel to equipotential lines.
- **D.** Toward the bottom of the page, because electric field vectors must follow lines of constant potential.

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/117338/*